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2025 NOMINEES

2025 Honoree

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WiT VANGUARD 

Maya Rogers

CEO, Tetris

Maya Rogers is CEO of Tetris, one of the leading and most distinctive video game brands and franchises in the world. With over 40 years of history, Tetris continues to captivate fans globally and has expanded far beyond the screen. Under Maya’s leadership, Tetris launched hit titles like Tetris Effect: Connected and Tetris 99, expanded into film with the Apple TV+ movie Tetris, and was named Best Digital Brand of 2024 at the Licensing International Awards. The brand now reaches into fashion, toys, and entertainment through 90+ global partners.

 

Tetris has been part of Maya’s family story since its earliest days. Raised with a front-row seat to the brand’s global rise, she now leads with deep respect for its legacy, while bringing fresh energy and creativity to its future. Her thoughtful approach to partnerships, storytelling, and innovation is helping redefine how a classic video game can show up in culture, wellness, and everyday life.

 

In addition to her work with Tetris, Maya co-founded Blue Startups, Hawaiʻi’s first venture accelerator. Since 2014, it has helped over 135 early-stage companies grow through mentorship, community, and investment, with a focus on inclusion and impact.


Maya is a proud mom and passionate advocate for underserved communities. She serves on several nonprofit boards, including the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region, What School Could Be (WSCB), and the Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children. Through all her work, she brings a strong sense of purpose, connection, and care.

NOMINEES

Brand Franchise Leadership

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BBC STUDIOS GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS TEAM


Led by, Suzy Lee Raia - SVP Global Consumer Products

BBC Studio

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RUTH HENRIQUEZ

Head of Licensing, Publishing & LBE EMEA

 

Mattel

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THE PAW PATROL FRANCHISE TEAM

led by, Jamie Drew - EVP, Licensing Consumer Products & Experiences

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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LAURA HENDERSON


EVP, Toy Brands & Creative Marketing

Spin Master

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TARYN JOHNSON

Sr. Manager, Franchise Strategy Integration


Disney 

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THE PEPPA PIG GLOBAL BRAND TEAM

led by, Esra Cafer - SVP Global Brand Strategy & Management

Kristin McKay - SVP and GM of Global Brands

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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LEGO®️ BRAND MARKETING TEAM

Led by, Maddie Boushie - Brand Director, US Marketing

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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THE CRUNCHYROLL CONSUMER PRODUCTS TEAM

led by, Anna Songco Adamian - VP, Global Consumer Products

 

Crunchyroll

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WICKED FRANCHISE TEAM

led by, Melissa Rodriguez - VP Franchise Strategy

 

Universal Products & Services

Catalyst for Change Under 500

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DR. AMANDA GUMMER 

Founder/CEO

 

Fundamentally Children

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KATIE GOLDSTEIN

Global Head of Policy & Regulatory Affairs

 

SuperAwesome

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RACHELE HARMUTH

Founder

MESH Helps

and

Head of Product and Commercialization CrunchLabs

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GENNA ROSENBERG

Changemaker CEO

 

GennComm

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LISA BOATMAN

Sr. Director of People

Exploding Kittens

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JULIANA VANLAANAN

Co-Founder/CEO

2MamaBees

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NANA BOUWENS

Creative Director

Tears R us

Catalyst for Change Over 500

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ALEX YEE

Sr. Manager Global Hardlines Licensing

Disney

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KATE ZAHRA

Chief People Officer

 

Moose Toys

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ARIANNA RYAN

Chief People Officer & EVP Sustainability

 

Asmodee

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CAROLINA GIUGA

Sr. Director, Government & Public Affairs, Americas

LEGO Systems, Inc.

Commercial Excellence

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AMY SULLIVAN

VP Retail Business Development

Cloudco Entertainment

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CELICA COSTANTINO

VP of Retail Sales

Ageless Innovation

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FIONA HARDIE

Buying Lead, Toys & Entertainment

Amazon

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LEGO®️ CANADA BUSINESS UNIT

 

led by, Daniela Cavinatto - GM, Canada

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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TARA GARTMAN 

SVP, Retail Development & Marketing

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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ASHLEY EMIG

VP, Sales - Walmart US

 

Melissa & Doug

Spin Master

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CHELSEA WOOD

Director of Sales

Relatable

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HOLLY SESTAK

Director, Retail Brand Commercialization

 

Disney

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MEGAN SAPIN

Sr. Director of Sales

 

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America

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TARA GEORGE

Country Manager, Mattel Canada

Mattel

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CARRIE MUELLER

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Sr. Director of Sales – Target Team Lead

 

VTech Electronics North America

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EMILY MACLENNAN

GM UK & EU

Moose Toys

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LAUREN ADELSBERGER HARMER & MEGAN FENNINGHAM

Sales Director & Account Manager

Jazwares

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SARA HUMPHREYS

VP, Walmart Team Leader

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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TRACY RAPOSE

 

VP, Team Lead

Just Play

Designer/Inventor Corporate

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AUDREY FREDA TAM

Design Director - Dolls, Collectibles & Activities

 

Moose Toys

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EMMA PEAT

Sr. Design Manager – Interactive + Dolls

Spin Master

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KATE FAKONAS

Sr. Director of Product Design, Play-Doh and Nerf

Hasbro, Inc.

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MIYA KIM

Product Design Manager, Squish-a-Longs

Jazwares

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SUNG PARK 

Sr. Manager, Product Design

Disney Licensing

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BRIANNA "BREE" WOODWARD

Creative Director

 

Asmodee

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HARMONY HINES -SLATTERY

Product Design Manager

 

Disney Parks

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MARI SUNDERLAND

SVP Web & Product Development

 

VTech Electronics North America 

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REBECCA SHIPMAN

Key Lead Product Designer - Barbie/Dolls Design

Mattel

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DANIELLE GLEASON

Managing Product Designer

CrunchLabs

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JIHYE KIM 

Director of Product Design

 

Just Play 

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MICHELE ADAMSEN

VP of Creative Services

 

Playmates Toys Inc.

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STEPHANIE KRAUS

Global EVP

Universal Products & Experiences

Designer/Inventor - Independent

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APRIL MITCHELL

Inventor/Designer

 

4A's Creations, LLC

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MORGAN UHL

CEO/Inventor

Knobēz

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CARLA SCHNEIDER

CEO/Founder

 

WubbaNub

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SALLY CONNOLLY

Founder/Inventor/

Licensor/Entrepreneur

Napa Valley Toys USA

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ELLIE DIX

Independent Game Designer

The Dark Imp

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SERENA FADLUN

Inventor & Game Designer

Serena Fadlun

Digital Innovator

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AMANDA MULLER

 

Director, Creative Development, Games & Emerging Media

 

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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JESS KIRKMAN

Sr. Director of Global Brand Creative

Mattel 

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MARJORY LAYMON

VP, Product and Tech–Hasbro DTC and D&D Beyond

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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CHRISTINE TRAN

Head of Entertainment & Character Product Team

 

Amazon

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KATHERINE SCHOBER

Director, Social Media

 

Jazwares

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RAY BILLINGS

Digital Content Specialist

The Op Games

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DAISY RITZ

VP of Marketing

 

Exploding Kittens

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LINDSEY PITTS

Tech Service Specialist

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

Emerging Technology Leader

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ADITI MITTAL

Head of Strategic Programs, US Prime & Marketing Technology

Amazon

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HANNAH GRANT

Sr. Product Manager

 

SuperAwesome

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CARRIE BUSE

Head of Discovery, Mattel Future Lab

 

Mattel

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KRISTIN SIZE

​Director, Systems Engineering

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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DEBORAH STALLINGS STUMM

Founder & Chief FUN Officer

FUNfluential

Inbound Licensing

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AMY JARASHOW

VP, Global Publishing, Crafts and Celebrations

 

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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HOLLIE HOLMES

VP, Global Licensing Acquisitions

Moose Toys

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Marianne James

SVP, Global Licensing, Hasbro Licensed Consumer Products

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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CHARLOTTE PAYNE

VP, International Licensing

Cloudco Entertainment

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KATHLEEN LIN WO

Sr. Account Manager Licensing, Licensing & Extended Line

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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DONYELLE EVANS

Sr. Manager Corporate Development, Licensing Acquisitions

Mattel

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KATHRYN HARDY

Sr. Director of Licensing

 

Just Play​

Licensing Agent/Agency

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HEIDI SCHWARTZ

VP Business Development

Universal Branding & Media

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THE KING FEATURES TEAM

led by Carla Silva - SVP, GM, Global Head of Licensing

King Features - a unit of Hearst

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LAURIE SMITH

EVP

The Brand Liaison

Marketing Visionary

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AUDREY CAO

Head of Marketing

The Woobles

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GEORGIA MANOLAS WALKER

VP of Marketing, Girls Brands

Playmates Toys Inc.

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JULIE POULTER

Creative Director, Advertising

Moose Toys

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KELLY RYAN

Sr. Manager, Print & Offsite

Amazon

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ELIZABETH ING

Director of Marketing

 

Entertainment Earth 

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HOLLY KOVAL

Brand Manager, US Marketing

Spin Master

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KAREN BALDUF

VP, VTech & LeapFrog Marketing

 

VTech Electronics North America

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KRISTEEN TIBBITS

VP Marketing and Social Media

Cloudco Entertainment

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ESTELLE VAREILLES

Global VP Route to Market Marketing

 

Asmodee

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JILLIAN SCHUMACHER

Marketing Manager

 

Brotherwise Games

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KATIE BUFORD

VP Global Brand Marketing, Hot Wheels

Mattel

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MEGHAN QUINN

Sr. Director, Franchise & Marketing Strategy

Just Play

Mentor of the Year

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ALYSHA CURTIS

Global Marketing Director

Moose Toys

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KAREN BRANSON

Chief Revenue Officer

 

Relatable

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TAL SCHRIEBER

Head of Early Learning Innovation Center

 

Spin Master

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JESSICA SHULTZ

VP of Packaging Design

 

Just Play

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LAURA CHRISTY

Sr. Director, Marketing

 

Jazwares

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JILL STRAIN

Sr. Director, Supply and Inventory Planning

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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MORGAN RENKEN

VP of Operations, Chief of Staff

Entertainment Earth

PR Communications & Excellence

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CALEIGH ANTHONY

Sr. Director, Global Communications

 

Spin Master

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LUCY SILAG

Communications Manager, Amazon North America Stores

 

Amazon

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ELISA MARTINEZ

 

LATAM Integrated Marketing Communications Director

 

Mattel

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RACHEL SANDLER

SVP, Communications

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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ELIZABETH FOSTER

VP of Content and Communications

 

Licensing International

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SARA ROSALES MONTALVO

SVP, Communications

 

Jazwares

Rising Leader Under 500 Employees

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AUDREY TORRENCE

Global Brand Manager, Littlest Pet Shop

 

Basic Fun, Inc.

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JOYCE SPRAU

VP of Product Development

Creata (USA) Inc.

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MICHELLE HAWTHORN

Director, Licensing and Marketing

 

Born To Play

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BERIT GINSBERG

Sr. Brand Marketing Manager

 

King Features, a unit of Hearst

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KELLEE VOPELAK

VP of Creative Operations

 

Exploding Kittens

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HALEY HINSHAW

Head of Production

 

CrunchLabs

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LIZ STARRY

Sr. Brand Manager, Games

 

Relatable

Rising Leader Over 500 Employees

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ANGIE OUNG

Sr. Director of Global Marketing

 

Moose Toys

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ELAINE CHASE

CMO Trading Card Games

 

Ravensburger

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JENNIFER NELSON

Director of Market Operations

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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SERINA FIGNOLE

Sr. Manager, Global Brand Marketing

 

Jazwares

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CATHERINE SUTHERLAND

Director, eCommerce Retail Development

 

Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences

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JACKELINE GONZALEZ

Director, Toys, CP & Global Hardlines

 

Universal Products & Experiences

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MEGAN MARGOLIS

 

Director, Emerging Business, Magic: The Gathering

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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TAYLOR MASON

Product Manager, Entertainment & Character - Evergreen Strategy & Innovation

 

Amazon

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DEBORAH STRUMPF

Sr. Director Global Brand Marketing – Barbie

 

Mattel

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JAYME THOMPSON

Sr. Director, Walmart Team Lead

 

Just Play

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MINNA SEIFERT

Manager, Product Development

 

Spin Master

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TIFFANY LAVERY

Director, PR & Social Marketing, 

 

VTech Electronics North America

Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year

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BREA BRAND

CEO, Co-Founder & Creative Director

 

CONNETIX

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JUSTINE TIU

Co-Founder

 

The Woobles

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MARJORIE SPITALNIK

Founder & CEO

 

Little Rebels

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HEATHER O'NEILL

CEO & Partner Owner

 

9th Level Games

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KUSUMA REDDY

Founder

 

The Culturorama

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RACHEL NEILL

Founder

 

Figgy

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HELEN SMITH

Founder and CEO

 

Roo & You™

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MACY SCHMIDT

Founder & CEO

 

Overture Global Entertainment

Unsung Hero Under 500 Employees

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ALY ARD

Shop & Facilities Director

 

CrunchLabs

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CHEYANNE HUKE

 

Sales Manager

 

Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld

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HELEN XU

 

Project Manager

 

The Woobles

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AMY BAKER

VP, Finance & Accounting

 

Exploding Kittens

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CHRISTINA SMITH

 

VP of Strategic Sourcing and Customer Experience

 

Miniature Market

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MARIA UNGARO

SVP, Member & Partner Relations

 

Licensing International

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ASHLEE VIRTUE

 

Sr. Executive Assistant & Office Operations Manager

 

Relatable

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GABI MATTINSON

 

Finance Business Partner

 

Cloudco Entertainment

Unsung Hero Over 500 Employees

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CAMERON BROWN

Sr. Customer Success Manager Amazon Vendor Services - Toys

Amazon

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KATIE GENERAZIO

Senior Director, Finance

 

Hasbro, Inc.

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STEPHANIE FISHER

Director of Revenue Cycle

 

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc.

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CÉLINE BUCKI

Group Legal Director

 

Asmodee

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KEREN GLOBUS

SVP, Design Operations

 

Jazwares

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STEPHANIE NORTH

General Counsel

 

Just Play

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KATHY CASEY

Sr. Director of Retail Marketing

 

Mattel

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LIBBY BIRCH

Global Presentations Director

 

Moose Toys

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TINA COLANTUONO

Sr. Manager Distribution and Allocation Retail Planning, Merchandising & In-Stock

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

WiT Champion

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GABBY DIAZ

Executive Assistant for Analytics and Insights and Central M&C Marketing VPs

 

LEGO Systems, Inc.

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STACY LEWIS

Founder & Chief Playmaker

 

StacyLoo

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JULIEN SHARP

GM & Country Manager, US

 

Asmodee

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STACY LIEBENSOHN

Sr. Account Executive

 

The Toy Association

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ROBIN DARLING

Manager, Global Corporate Events

 

Mattel

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Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (The WiT Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and global community that champions and advocates for the advancement of women through leadership, networking and educational opportunities.

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